NorthLink WA’s central section is officially complete with drivers now able to travel from Kewdale to Ellenbrook.
The interchange allows free-flow access for southbound and east-west traffic as part of the joint Federal and State $1.02 billion NorthLink WA initiative ($820.84 million from the Australian Government and $204.06 million from the State Government).
The new flyovers at Beechboro Road North and Marshall Road are also now fully operational.
Overall NorthLink WA is supporting around 7,000 direct and indirect jobs for Western Australians.
The remaining section of NorthLink WA, between Ellenbrook and Muchea, will open by the end of 2019.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said NorthLink WA will deliver congestion busting time-savings between Kewdale and Muchea.
“This is a vital, state-of-the-art transport link between Morley and Muchea, diverting 80 per cent of heavy vehicles away from local roads,” Mr Tudge said.
It’ll also be a game changer for residents in the Swan Valley improving access for them and the 600,000 tourists visiting the area each year.”
WA Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said the WA Government would maintain its commitment to improving roads in the north-eastern suburbs of Perth.
“NorthLink WA has been a major achievement of collaboration across successive governments, having initially been funded in the 2013-14 Federal Budget as the Swan Valley Bypass, and continued under the current State and Federal Governments,” Ms Saffioti said.
“This central section milestone is pivotal for Ellenbrook residents allowing quick access to Tonkin Highway and halving the previous 25-minute journey time to Morley.
“The north-eastern suburbs of Perth are among the fastest growing in the country, which is why we are continuing our focus on this area through other road upgrades and the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line.”
Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter said the central section upgrade would improve safety.
“NorthLink WA will make our roads safer and our travel times shorter – meaning more time to do the things you want to do,” Mr Porter said.
“Completion of all sections will also contribute to potential future employment opportunities by connecting to current and future industrial areas.
“Importantly, the new road will take heavy traffic away from roads in the Swan Valley, which will boost safety for both locals and tourists alike.”
WA Member for Swan Hills Jessica Shaw said the NorthLink WA and Morley-Ellenbrook Line project benefits were wide ranging and significant.
“NorthLink WA is going to deliver huge benefits for the Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook communities. The opening of the Gnangara Road section has already shaved 10-15 minutes off of our commutes,” Ms Shaw said.
“Opening of The Promenade project is going to ease local congestion and make it even easier for my constituents to access jobs, as well as paving the way for the North Ellenbrook Industrial Area.
“We are now hard at work finalising plans for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line, which will deliver more transport choices and time savings to local families.”
In addition a new four-metre-wide Principal Shared Path (PSP) for cyclists and pedestrians is now open from Railway Parade in Bayswater to Mitre Bend in north Ellenbrook – a distance of around 30 kilometres.
The PSP links to the shared path that runs along the Perth-Midland rail line, providing an uninterrupted cycling link from Ellenbrook to the Perth CBD (a further 8 kilometres) for the first time.
Unless in a work zone, traffic speeds are predominantly 100 km/h on the highway, reducing travel times significantly and improving both safety and the driving experience for motorists.
Finishing works are still underway so motorists are asked to pay careful attention to the new configuration and obey road signage.
Until Tonkin Highway is open to Muchea, heavy vehicles will continue to use Reid Highway and Great Northern Highway.
